What have you read lately? Showing 351-400 of 1,702

[Nona]

yeah I agree some authors you take with a grain of salt and others you get what is based on truth.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Yes, I'm reading Weir's non-fiction biography of Elizabeth I.

[Sera]

Susanna, sorry my bad - I thought that we had read both :( I loved An Innocent Traitor though.

[Sera]

I'm going to start Rasputin's Daughter sometime today. Recall that it's the sequel to the Kitchen Boy that we had read as a group previously. The author is also on GR.

[Nona]

I just finished Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick and wow what a story and what a man, he accomplished so much even late in his life. I don't think i could have ever let my husband join the Templars and renounce our vows even if his soul was at peril.

[Misfit]

Oh I agree, William Marshal what a man.

I am just finishing Daphne Du Maurier's Mary Anne which is based on her great-great-grandmother who had quite a scandalous affair with Frederick Duke of York. Quite an interesting ride.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederic...

[Patricia]

Sara (et al) - If you haven't read Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time, I highly recommend it. It made a Ricardian out of me!

[Angie]

A better Elizabeth (albeit fiction) is I,Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles. Epic.
I, Elizabeth A Novel

[Angie]

I've got Lady Elizabeth by Weir, but I haven't dug in yet...anybody read it?

[Sera]

That's the one that I have Angie - I haven't read it yet.

[Tisha]

I just started Abundance A Novel of Marie Antoinette. I'm only 100 pages in, but I'm enjoying it so far.

[Nona]

I'm reading A Treasury of Royal Scandals, very easy light read about all those kooks that made history.

[Robin]

Angie wrote: "A better Elizabeth (albeit fiction) is I,Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles. Epic.
[b:I, Elizabeth A Novel|56353|I, Elizabeth A Novel|Rosalind Miles|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170......"

I have I, Elizabeth and I absolutely love it. Thick as it is I've read it several times. I love the voice of Elizabeth that Miles creates.

[Robin]

Angie wrote: "I've got Lady Elizabeth by Weir, but I haven't dug in yet...anybody read it?"

I have read it and while I loved Weir's book on Jane Grey, I wasn't quite as thrilled with this one. It was good and I enjoyed it, just not as much as I enjoyed "Innocent Traitor." The direction she goes with some of the things in Elizabeth's life (though there were all kinds of rumors) just don't seem to fit with history.

[Angie]

I'll keep that in mind thanks!

[Barbara]

Patricia wrote: "Sara (et al) - If you haven't read Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time, I highly recommend it. It made a Ricardian out of me!"

Oh yes, a really interesting take on it - and very well-written

[Mandy]

I'm almost done with Plaidy's Katherine of Aragon.
It's pretty good...though it took me a long time to become really engaged in it.
I'm glad it was condensed into one novel, because the whole first book was sort of slow for me.
I don't love Plaidy's take on some events that I've read about in other books by other authors before. I wonder, though, if that's specific to this book and Katherine's story...
I think I'm almost overly-familiar with Katherine's life - I keep waiting for different things to happen. That may be why I find the book slow.

I think I'm going to read Sunne in Splendor next.

[Maryse]

I'm reading "Dynasty: The Stuarts 1560-1807". It's pretty much about the history of the Stuarts. Interesting but it feels a little biased sometimes

[Angie]

Mandy wrote: "I'm almost done with Plaidy's Katherine of Aragon.
It's pretty good...though it took me a long time to become really engaged in it.
I'm glad it was condensed into one novel, because the whole fir..."

I'm the same way, sometimes you know too much about some of these historical figures and it ruins the fiction. I think it's unfortunate when the authors can't be bothered to even consult a timeline sometimes! That's why I had to stop watching the Tudors. Even though I love Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, the ridiculous plots and costumes were really getting to me.

[Sara W]

Angie wrote: "I've got Lady Elizabeth by Weir, but I haven't dug in yet...anybody read it?"

This is the one we read as a group (as well as The Innocent Traitor). Susanna's reading the non-fiction book about Elizabeth by Weir whereas we read the novel about Elizabeth by Weir (who's on first, who's on second!?!?).

I preferred the Innocent Traitor. I did not like a twist that Weir put in the Lady Elizabeth, but I don't think that bothered too many other people. I still enjoyed it though for the most part.

[Patricia]

Has anyone heard of an author named Anne Easter Smith? She's coming to my local bookstore (Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, MA) next month to sign her new book, The King's Grace, which is about Richard III's imprisoning the Princes in the Tower, "as seen through the eyes of a young Grace Plantangenet." Grrrrr! As a rampant Ricardian I have a strong urge to go and heckle her, brandishing my copies of Tey's The Daughter of Time and Field's Royal Blood and thundering against Tudor propaganda but I probably won't! It does make my blood boil a surprising amount, considering these people have been dead for 600 years......

[Misfit]

I've heard mixed reviews about her, the only one giving that a high rating on Amazon is Harriet and we all know how big of a grain of salt to take that one with.....

I'm getting it from the library but I'm not holding my breath that I'll finish it, just wanted to try her books once to see.

PS, Patricia we have a Richard III group. Come on over and join us.

[Susan]

Patricia wrote: "Has anyone heard of an author named Anne Easter Smith? She's coming to my local bookstore (Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, MA) next month to sign her new book, The King's Grace, which is about Richard III's imprisoning the Princes in the Tower, "as seen through the eyes of a young Grace Plantangenet." Grrrrr! As a rampant Ricardian I have a strong urge to go and heckle her, brandishing my copies of Tey's The Daughter of Time and Field's Royal Blood and thundering against Tudor propaganda but I probably won't! It does make my blood boil a surprising amount, considering these people have been dead for 600 years"

No need to heckle. Her novels are thoroughly Ricardian.

[Patricia]

Susan wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Has anyone heard of an author named Anne Easter Smith? She's coming to my local bookstore (Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, MA) next month to sign her new book, The King's Grace, ..."

Hmmm, then was the blurb about her book at fault, saying that it was about Richard's imprisonment of the Princes? Perhaps I should go and check this out... has anyone else met her?

[Elysium]

I'm reading Philippa Gregory's The Virgin's Lover. Haven't really made progress with it but I've liked it so far.

[Robin]

Elysium wrote: "I'm reading Philippa Gregory's The Virgin's Lover. Haven't really made progress with it but I've liked it so far."


I thought it was a good book but I really didn't like the way she portrayed Elizabeth as being a clingy female that can't make any decisions on her own. History shows that she wasn't like that. But I enjoyed the book nonetheless.

[Susan]

Patricia wrote: "Susan wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Has anyone heard of an author named Anne Easter Smith? She's coming to my local bookstore (Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, MA) next month to sign her new book, The ..."

It is about the mystery of the Princes, but it's mainly about the identity of Perkin Warbeck. The novel opens shortly before the Battle of Bosworth, and Richard appears only briefly. He's a major character in Smith's first novel, A Rose for the Crown, which is about Richard III's mistress. I didn't care for A Rose for the Crown much (the heroine was way too perfect for my taste), but if a sympathetic Richard is your main criteria, it'll meet it. Some of the characters in Rose reappear in King's Grace. Smith is a member of the Richard III Society.

[Patricia]

Thanks for the information, Susan. I think I will attend the signing if I can. If I do, I will post a report. And Misfit, I will definitely check out the Richard III group; thanks!

[Sera]

I finished Rasputin's Daughter - classic Alexander, but not as good as the Kitchen Boy.

[Pearl]

I have just finished Abundance: A Novel Of Marie Antoinette it was surprisingly good, entertaining and quiet well researched, in other words, I liked it a lot!

[Susan]

Pearly wrote: "I have just finished Abundance: A Novel Of Marie Antoinette it wa..."

I really enjoyed Abundance also. The opening bits, especially the scene where Marie talks about her body, were a little off-putting to me--they had a "Gee, Ma, I'm writing literary fiction!" tone to them--but once the story started rolling, I was hooked.

[Sandra]

Pearly wrote: "I have just finished Abundance: A Novel Of Marie Antoinette it wa..."

I really enjoyed Abundance. I didnt' expect to, but I did. (I'm not a Marie Antoinette fan.) I thought Nasland handled the historical background very well...but then, she's a fantastic writer.

[Robin]

I just finished "The Virgin Queen's Daughter" and while I don't buy into the theory of Elizabeth having a child, I really enjoyed the book.

[Susan]

I am currently reading Love and Louis XIV which I am enjoying. I have always been a big fan of Antonia Fraser and this book so far has not disappointed.

[Susan]

Have you read Ahab's Wife by Nasland? It is sitting on my shelf and I have not gotten to it yet but would love a recommendation if you have read it.

[Pamela]

Sbaird wrote: "Have you read Ahab's Wife by Nasland? It is sitting on my shelf and I have not gotten to it yet but would love a recommendation if you have read it.
"

Hi~ I read Ahab's Wife about 8 years ago and, although I can't recall specific details, I can tell you it was one of my favorite books of any genre! For me, it began a quest to find other books on the adventures of the whaling industry and the women involved and is one of the (very)few books that I would read a second time!
Enjoy! :)

[Elysium]

I finished Prhilippa Gregory's The Other Queen. It was ok but I think it was the worst of her books. Now I'm reading Kolmen Kuun Kuningatar (Queen of Three Moons) by Carita Forsgren. It's about Karin Månsdotter and it doesn't look good so far...

[Susan]

thank you for the feedback!!! I can't wait to finally take it off the shelf and read it!

[Mandy]

I'm reading The Blood Countess - Alisa's intro got me all interested in Elizabeth Bathory!

Only a few chapters into it, but it's good so far - though it seems to be quite fictional.

[Wanda]

I will be finishing The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister tonight. I can honestly say that I loved this book. Now, I pretty much love all the books I read - don't find fault/hate with too many (except PG and Nefertiti by MM - yuck!). This was a fast, easy, sentimental read. Each character receives his/her own chapter and we learn about their struggles and how it relates to others in the cooking class. Others on Goodreads have provided their review of the book - I am not very good at that yet; but, I am learning. I can tell you that I loved the book and will re-read it again in the future. It's the kind of book you give to your best girlfriend. To me, it was well-written, sentimental (again) (I cried yesterday over lunch reading about Isabelle). If you get the chance, just, please give it a try.

[Sara W]

Thanks for the recommendation Wanda!

[Robin]

I am just about finished with Plaidy's "Katherine of Aragon." I've actually enjoyed her take on Katherine throughout the three volumes. I have Anne Easter Smith's "The King's Grace" waiting for me when I finish this along with Suzannah Dunn's "The Queen's Sorrow" and I'm really looking forward to plunging into them.

[Alisa]

Hi again Mandy,

I think you're right, the book is quite fictional. There is (from what I found) limited hard evidence out there about Bathory - so difficult to parse the truth from legend. Any book about her is bound to include a fair amount of fiction, mine included!

I hope you enjoy Codrescu,
Alisa

[Sera]

Robin wrote: "I am just about finished with Plaidy's "Katherine of Aragon." I've actually enjoyed her take on Katherine throughout the three volumes. I have Anne Easter Smith's "The King's Grace" waiting for me ..."

Robin, I'm so glad that you enjoyed Katherine of Aragon. I also love that book!

[Wanda]

Sera wrote: "Robin wrote: "I am just about finished with Plaidy's "Katherine of Aragon." I've actually enjoyed her take on Katherine throughout the three volumes. I have Anne Easter Smith's "The King's Grace" w..."

Hi, Sera. I also have Anne Easter Smith's books waiting for me -- will you share your thoughts once you have finished your reading of The King's Grace? Thanks.

[Robin]

Wanda wrote: "Sera wrote: "Robin wrote: "I am just about finished with Plaidy's "Katherine of Aragon." I've actually enjoyed her take on Katherine throughout the three volumes. I have Anne Easter Smith's "The Ki..."

Wanda, I'm reading it right now and so far I am really enjoying it. After reading so much on the Tudors post Henry VII's time, its refreshing to read about what happened before Henry VIII's soap opera. :)

[Wanda]

Robin wrote: "Wanda wrote: "Sera wrote: "Robin wrote: "I am just about finished with Plaidy's "Katherine of Aragon." I've actually enjoyed her take on Katherine throughout the three volumes. I have Anne Easter S..."

Thank you, Robin. I am anxious to start Anne Easter Smith's books - are they all stand-alones or must they be read in order to make sense?

[Barbara]

Mandy wrote: "I'm almost done with Plaidy's Katherine of Aragon.
..."
If you haven't already, do read Norah Lofts Katherine of Aragon book, Queen In Waiting. I think it is the best, but then I do have a girly crush on NL ....

[Robin]

Wanda wrote: "Robin wrote: "Wanda wrote: "Sera wrote: "Robin wrote: "I am just about finished with Plaidy's "Katherine of Aragon." I've actually enjoyed her take on Katherine throughout the three volumes. I have..."

I think you can probably read them on their own, though the two that come before "The King's Grace" obviously cover events that happen prior to this book.

I enjoyed "The King's Grace." As there really is not much about Grace in historical record, I suppose it was pretty easy for the author to fit her in to different parts of the known history. I liked the character okay most of the time. Her extreme stubbornness when it came to her feelings for her cousin John of Gloucester and trying to help him, and then her wanting to believe Perkin Warbeck (even though she'd never seen her half brother Richard), got a bit irritating, but I enjoyed the book and I've got the book that came before it, "Daughter of York" to read.

[Patricia]

Hi - I actually went to a talk and signing by Anne Easter Smith last Friday night. It turns out I was the only one there except for one of Ms. Smith's friends and a bookseller...why they scheduled this on Good Friday night was beyond all of us but anyway....She's very nice and appears to do excellent research. I like her idea of using minor characters to tell the story so that she doesn't have to put words in the mouth of popular, well-known historical figures. I did not buy anything that night but put a couple on hold. I'm torn about buying them due to some of the writing criticism I have read on this thread and in the Richard III group so I may get one from the library first. But we had a great discussion about the period and many things Ricardian and I liked her approach to the period and writing historical fiction.